Blake Bars

Bruce Buchanan is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management. Bruce, who practices law in Nashville, Tennessee, has been recognized since 2016. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Bruce is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jennifer S. Kiesewetter is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law and Litigation - ERISA. Jennifer S., who practices law in Nashville, Tennessee, has been recognized since 2014. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jennifer S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Ms. Cargile represents parties in all aspects of commercial real estate, including leasing, finance and joint ventures. She has a national leasing practice having represented landlords and tenants in both lease negotiation and lease enforcement. She also represents life companies and other lenders in placing financing, and, additionally, in realizing upon collateral where necessary. Ms. Cargile has a great deal of experience using her lending knowledge to assist borrowers in negotiating favor...

Chuck Mataya has developed a focused practice of litigation and counseling in various areas of labor and employment law, including the defense of class, collective individual actions in both state and federal courts. Chuck acts as a lead counsel for prominent employers throughout the United States in the counsel and defense of employment and labor claims, including claims of wrongful discharge, breach of an employment contract, illegal discrimination under the various federal and state laws, ...

Brian represents pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers as trial counsel and in leadership roles of coordinated mass tort proceedings.

James Looper serves as Co-Managing Partner for our Nashville office. He is currently licensed in Georgia, Tennessee, and Kentucky. In addition to being licensed in a number of states, James handles complex litigation as a part of the National Trial Counsel team across the country. James’ practice is centered on medical-related issues, complex litigation, alternative dispute resolution, and health care, and he has had numerous jury trials in multiple states. Prior to attending law school...

Eric Stevens has nearly 30 years of experience representing clients - focusing on healthcare and financial institutions - in labor relations and employment litigation. He represents both union and non-union employers in: Class-action claims under anti-discrimination laws Litigation involving federal and state wage and hour laws Contract negotiations Arbitration Successful union-free election campaigns Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs audits Eric also assists clients with complia...

Brooke is a partner in the Real Estate Practice Group, providing counsel in real estate finance, real estate acquisitions and dispositions, real estate development and healthcare lending. Brooke represents numerous life insurance companies, national, regional and local banks, and corporate clients in a wide variety of commercial and real estate lending matters secured by real property, including office, multifamily, industrial, retail, hospitality and other commercial projects. She also repre...

Brooks Smith advises clients in their endeavors related to commercial real estate matters, commercial financing and general business transactions. Brooks represents developers, owners, users, borrowers and lenders in all aspects of commercial real estate development, acquisition, disposition, leasing and financing among all classes of real estate (office, retail, industrial, multi-family, and hospitality, medical and residential developments). Brooks also regularly represents lending institut...

Thomas W. Lawless earned his JD in 1980 from the Nashville School of Law and was admitted to practice in Tennessee in 1981. He is admitted to practice in all state and federal courts in Tennessee as well as the Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit, Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and the United States Supreme Court. He is a board certified Creditors’ Rights Law Specialist by the American Board of Certification and the Tennessee Commission on Continuing Legal Education and Speci...